In a surprising turn of events,Taiwan HAWK missiles may have quietly emerged as a significant ally to Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. According to comments from former Pentagon official Tony Hu on the YouTube channel RJ War Room, Taiwan has reportedly donated its surplus HAWK surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems to bolster Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The transfer, though not publicly highlighted, seems to align with prior reports from 2023, suggesting a U.S.-facilitated agreement between Taiwan and Ukraine. The Taiwanese contribution includes the MIM-23 Homing All-the-Way Killer (HAWK) missiles, along with their launch platforms and radar systems. This equipment is expected to complement additional HAWK systems already donated to Ukraine by the United States and Spain, providing a strategic boost to Ukraine’s embattled air defense network.
Expanding Ukraine’s Air Defense
With this latest development, Ukraine’s air force may now deploy as many as 15 HAWK missile batteries. Each battery typically consists of at least six launchers, each capable of firing three missiles, supported by associated radar units. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine operated around 50 SAM batteries, predominantly Soviet-era systems like the S-300. However, many of these older systems have suffered significant attrition in combat, leading to the integration of more advanced Western systems, including American-made Patriot missiles.
If the current size of Ukraine’s air-defense force has been maintained by replacing lost Soviet-era units with Western equipment, these new HAWK batteries could account for nearly one-third of Ukraine’s active SAM capabilities. While Taiwan has not been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s defense, this contribution underscores its substantial, albeit discreet, role in aiding Kyiv’s military efforts.
HAWK: An Old But Effective System
Originally developed in the early 1960s, the HAWK missile system is no longer at the cutting edge of air defense technology. However, it remains a versatile and dependable platform, especially effective against slower-moving threats like drones, cruise missiles, and manned aircraft. The system’s relative simplicity, high mobility due to its towed launchers, and ease of upgrades make it a valuable addition to Ukraine’s diversified air-defense arsenal. Notably, the HAWK missile is compatible with another key system used by Ukraine: the U.S.-Norwegian National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
Strategic Negotiations and Supply Chain Diversification
Negotiations between U.S. and Taiwanese officials reportedly began as early as mid-2023. The discussions centered on the transfer of Taiwan’s surplus HAWK batteries, which had been decommissioned and replaced by modern, locally-produced systems and imported NASAMS units. Taiwan had started phasing out its HAWK batteries as far back as 2015, opting for more advanced technologies.
At the time, the potential supply of HAWK missiles was seen as a critical measure to address an impending shortage of Soviet-era munitions like the S-300 and Buk missiles, which Ukraine’s defense forces were rapidly depleting. By diversifying its air-defense inventory with Western systems, Ukraine has managed to mitigate the risks of running out of missiles. The integration of HAWK batteries into this broader network provides access to a wider variety of missile sources from countries that have operated the system in the past.
This strategic diversification is crucial for Ukraine. By using multiple types of SAM systems, it ensures a steady supply of replacement missiles, despite the ongoing and intense Russian missile and drone strikes. The HAWK system, operated in various forms by dozens of countries worldwide, offers a broad supply chain for Ukraine, reducing its dependence on any single nation’s inventory.
The HAWK’s Role in Ukraine’s Defense
While the HAWK does not match the range and precision of Ukraine’s top-tier air-defense system, the Patriot, it still fills an important niche. The Patriot missile can engage targets up to 100 miles away, using its onboard radar for guidance. In contrast, the HAWK missile has a maximum range of about 30 miles, relying on ground-based radar to track and engage targets.
A potential drawback of the HAWK system is its radar’s vulnerability to electronic jamming, a tactic increasingly employed by Russia. However, Ukraine may be able to enhance the effectiveness of the HAWK by integrating its launchers and missiles with the superior radar systems of NASAMS, thus improving target detection and engagement capabilities.
Taiwan’s discreet yet substantial contribution to Ukraine’s air-defense arsenal underscores a new dimension of international support for Kyiv. By integrating the HAWK missile systems, Ukraine not only augments its immediate defensive capabilities but also secures a broader, diversified network of SAM systems. This diversity is key to sustaining its defenses amid relentless Russian aerial assaults, ensuring that Ukraine can continue to safeguard its skies.
